Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: Activation of myelin basic protein-sensitized spleen cells by specific antigen in culture

Abstract

In vitro culture with myelin basic protein (BP) permits transfer of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) with as few as 5 × 10 6 sensitized Lewis rat spleen cells. Activation of the sensitized cells is effective with as little as 0.1 μg/ml BP. No activation is obtained after 4 hr in culture with BP but is significant after 12 hr; optimal transfer occurs after 72 hr of culture. Homogenized cells or concentrated culture supernatants do not transfer disease. Spleen cells capable of activation by BP are found at the height of disease as well as after recovery from EAE. The use of NH 4Cl or distilled water to lyse erythrocytes (RBC) prior to culture abolishes BP-induced [ 3H]TdR uptake but does not adversely affect transfer of EAE. Further studies on the role of cellular proliferation suggest that a stage of cell division is necessary for enhanced transfer of disease, but that this may occur in the recipient animals after cell transfer.